Dreaming not only helps consolidate memories but a new study shows that it may also help process negative emotional events better.
The study involved participants who viewed emotionally arousing images. One group viewed the images in the morning and in the evening, while the other group viewed the same images in the evening and in the following morning (after sleeping).
The results indicated that the second group showed a decreased emotional reaction to the images compared to the first group. That conclusion was further corroborated by brain scans taken during the study that revealed reduced activity in the amygdala, an almond-shaped brain structure associated with the fear response and anxiety.
Thus, sleeping after experiencing an emotionally-arousing event may contribute to good mental health.
Jazzie.
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